New-school fitness, old-school fun

When most people think of working out, they envision the monotonous treadmill or the bare-bones weights. But fitness doesn't have to be old and boring. Remember when you went for bike rides, jumped on a trampoline or wiggled a hula hoop around your waist just because it was fun?

Why: It turns an old-school workout into a full fitness experience that'll leave you panting, smiling — and very strong. But be warned: Even if you thought you mastered the art of jumping rope, you probably still have a lot to learn. "Your hands, wrists and shoulders are strengthened in an unparalleled way from trying to stabilize the micro-movements created from whipping the shape and direction of the ropes," said Lashaun Dale, national group fitness creative manager at Equinox Fitness Clubs. You'll be working every muscle, from your arms to muscles in your core because your entire body will be moving to stabilize the ropes.

Do it: Take the Whipped class at Equinox Fitness Clubs, equinox.com.

If you like, ahem, uh, getting busy, try Kama movement

Why: The name translated from Sanskrit means pleasure, and this new fitness craze helps you tone and lose weight — while aiming to increase future sexual pleasure and fertility. During the workout, you twist, thrust and sculpt your pelvic core, which includes your hips, butt, thighs and lower abs through fun dance moves and stretches. Learn more at http://www.kamamovement.com.

Family walks, bike rides and backyard games are great, but there are many ways to make fitness appealing to kids. "You are only limited by your own imagination," says Rogenia David, owner of My Gym Children's Fitness Center of Hampton Roads in Newport News, Va. "Once kids get going, it's hard...

Enter the new wave of fitness, where old-school fun has been transformed into adult exercises, bringing us the best of both worlds — where working out gets you fit, but is also super-fun. By Danielle Braff, Special to Tribune Newspapers To see the related article, click here.

Readers submit photos and information on medical professionals who have recently been promoted, hired or honored. Select photos will be published in the Health and Medicine section of Sunday's edition of The Baltimore Sun. (Caption size is limited.)

Scientists know that Alzheimer’s disease gains a foothold in a patient’s brain years before he or she first stashes car keys in the freezer, or gets lost coming home from the store. But a new study suggests that the changes in the brain that set the stage for Alzheimer’s may...